On September 12, 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison, a Peace Corps physician who dreamt about space travel from a young age, becomes the first African American woman to go into space. Jemison, 35 at the time of the launch, is one of seven astronauts on the eight-day flight aboard the space shuttle Endeavor on mission STS-47, which made 127 orbits around earth.
By: History.com Editors
1992
Mae Jemison becomes first Black woman in space
Published: March 19, 2024
Last Updated: January 24, 2025
11 Underappreciated World-Changing Women
Bet you've never heard of all 11 of these game-changing women and their incredible accomplishments.
“You have as much right as anyone else to be in this world and to be in any profession you want,” Jemison once said. “You don’t have to wait for permission.”
During the space flight, Jemison was the science mission specialist who conducted experiments about factors like weightlessness, bone loss and motion sickness on both herself and fellow crew members. Jemison brought several personal mementos on the flight, including an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority banner; an Organization of African Unity flag; and proclamations from the Chicago Public School system, where she grew up, and the DuSable Museum of African American History.
Jemison—who entered NASA’s astronaut training program in 1987, as one of 15 from a pool of about 2,000 applicants—left NASA in 1993. Since then, she has taught at Dartmouth University and started the Jemison Group, Inc., a research company for advanced technologies. Jemison also started The Earth We Share, an international space camp for kids ages 12 to 16. In 1999, Jemison founded the BioSentient Corp., which uses medical technology to improve health and human performance. She is a frequent public speaker and promoter of STEM involvement for women and minorities.
Timeline
Also on This Day in History
Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on September 12th
Related Articles
Black History
When Muhammad Ali Reclaimed His Title in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali, a.k.a. "The Greatest," beat George Foreman to reclaim the world heavyweight boxing title in a fight held in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Black History
An Intimate View of MLK Through the Lens of a Friend
“Outside of my immediate family, his was the greatest friendship I have ever known or experienced,” photographer Flip Schulke said of Martin Luther King Jr.
Black History
6 Black Heroes of the Civil War
Whether as soldiers, spies, recruiters or medical personnel, African Americans made crucial contributions to the Union cause.
Black History
Red Summer of 1919: How Black WWI Vets Fought Back Against Racist Mobs
When dozens of brutal race riots erupted across the U.S. in the wake of World War I and the Great Migration, black veterans stepped up to defend their communities against white violence.
About the author
HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.
Citation Information
- Article title
- Mae Jemison becomes first Black woman in space
- Author
- History.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- March 25, 2025
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- January 24, 2025
- Original Published Date
- March 19, 2024
History Every Day
Sign Up for "This Day in History"
Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.
By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.
More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us
